Rocker arm



Maly-7, 1940. A. H. HABERSTUMP 2.199.914

ROCKER ARM Filed March 31, "1939 /O vill/allg JNVENTIOR Patented May 7,1940 to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., a corporationof Delaware Application March 3l, 12939, Serial N0. 265,309

7Claims.

'Ihe present invention relates to fabricated 0peratlng arms and is animprovement on the structure disclosed in the co-pending application ofAlfred H. Haberstump,y Serial No. 210,844, filed 5 May 3l, 1938. v

One of the primary objects of the present invention isto provide animproved rocker arm structure which is economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, stamped,sheet metal rocker arm formed of a -single metal stamping, therebyproviding a simplified and economical structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved simplifiedrocker arm of generally box section, having great strength andrigidity.A

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rocker arm foran automotive engine having a' central bearing, an arcuate operatingsurface at the extension of one arm and a threaded portion at the end ofthe opposite arm for association with operating elements.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the followingspecification,l the drawing relating thereto, and from the claimshereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, in which like numerals. are used to designate like partsin the several views t throughout:

Figure l is a cross-sectional view through'a portion of an automotiveengine illustrating a rocker arm according to the present inventionassociated therewith;

Fig. 2 is anenlarged elevational view of the rocker arm illustrated inFig. l;

35 Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rocker ann illustrated in Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view` taken alongthe line 6 6y of Fig. 2. l

. The structure of the present invention-is directed to operating arms,such as rocker'arm's, bell cranks, and the like, and in the embodimentillustrated a rocker arm is employed in automotive engines for thepurpose of operating the engage anadjustable set screw on one end .of ao?! rocker arm generally indicated at I4, the other terminal end of therocker arm having an arcuate contact member for engagement with the nvalve stem, for translating a reciprocating movement of the tappet rodto the valve. The functions oi' the tappet rod, rocker arm and valve 5are well knownto those engaged in the internal combustion art and neednot be described in detail here. A, According to the present inventionthe rocker arm I4 is constructed of a thin sheet metal material stampedinto the shape to be described' thereby providing an economicalconstruction for the rocker. arm but at the same time providing astructure having the required strength and rigidity characteristics. Therocker arm I4 is formed of alsingle strip of sheetmetal material whichis pre-stamped tothe required shape and then folded upon itself andthereafter having the folded portions joined together to provide thefinished article. 20

The single sheet of stamped metal is folded upon itself as indicated atI6, substantially midway between the ends thereof to providesuperimposed layers i8 and 20. The upper layer I8 is provided with alongitudinally extending rib 22 terminating along its side edges inoutwardly disposed anges 24, the rib extending from a position adjacentthe fold I6 to a position adjacent the opposite end of the arm and theanges 24 extending substantially the full length of the arm. The lowerlayer 20 is also formed with a complementary longitudinally extendingrib 26, the side edges ofv which terminate in outwardly disposed flanges2B complementary to the flanges -24.

'I'he ilanges 24 and 2d and the ribs 22 and 2S `are shaped intermediatetheir ends to provide complementary portions which form a substantiallycircular transverse hub 30. A bearing bushing 32 maybe disposed withinthe hub 3Il so that the rocker arm I4 may be rockably mounted upon ashaft 34 iixedly mounted on suitable standards on the engine.

' The ribs 22 and 26 and the flanges 24 and 28V face-each other, withportions of flanges 24 and 28 abutting each other so that a generallybox sectioned structure is provided which gives the` rocker arm thestrength and rigidity characteristiosrequired in this type of article.The'abutting portions of flanges 24' and 28 may be fixed together byspot welding, for example.

Portions of the ilanges 24 and 28 are separated from each other adjacentthe fold I6; and a contact memb'er 36 is adapted to be disposed bevtweenthe upper and lower layers I8 and 20, re-

spectively, adjacent the fold I6. The lower layer 20 is provided with anopening 38 therethrough adjacent the fold I6; and the lcontact member 36is formed with shoulder portions 40 which engage the facing edges of thespaced portions of flanges 24 and 28. The member 36 also has a portionwhich projects through opening 38 with the bottom surface thereof"arcuate in shape as indicated at 42, and such arcuate surface isadapted to bear against the top of the valve Il. The projecting portionof member 36 is complementary in shape to the shape of opening 38, andit will thus be evident that through the engagement of shoulders 40 withthe flanges 24 and 28 that the member 36'is rigidly fixed in position.

The ends of upper and lower layers I8 and 20, respectively, which formthe terminal end of the arm I4 opposite to that of the folded end areeach formed in the shapeI of generally round, complementary bosses 44and 46, respectively, which in turn are each formed with inwardlydisposed flanges 48 and 49. The flanges 48 and i9 are generally circularin cross-section and are complementary to each other to provide anopening 50 therethrough which is threaded for the reception of anadjustable set screw 52. The set screw 52 may be readily adjusted toadjustably set the rod I2.

.From the above description it will be evident that the presentinvention provides a simplified structure which maybe economicallymanufactured in that the portions i8 and 20 of the single strip of metalmay be stamped to the shape described before these portions are foldedat the mid-point between theirends. Such a stamping operation -is asimple one; and after this operation the contact member 36 may bepositioned so that the projecting portion extends through the opening 38before the strip is folded. By thereafter folding the strip aboutmld-point I6 the flanges 24 and 28 engage shoulders 40, as describedabove, so that the member 36 'is xed in position. Also the portions ofthe flanges and ribs intermediate the ends of the arms when folded intothel position shown in Fig. 2 are complementary to each other to formthe hub;

and the circular flange portions 48 and 49 are also complementary toeach other to provide the opening 50. The flanges may then be xedtogether by spot welding as mentioned above.

While a rocker arm for internal/ combustion engines has beenspecifically described, it is to be understood that the teachings of thepresent invention may be applied to the construction of other types ofarms, such as bell cranks and the like. The arms of the presentinvention are rugged in construction but are light in weight becausethin gauge metal material may be used. Formal changes may be made in thespecific embodiment of the invention described without departing fromthe spirit and substance of the invention, the scope of which iscommensurate with the appended claimms. y

What is claimed is:

1..A.stampe'd metal rocker arm comprisingl a metal strip folded uponitself to provide superimposed first and second layers, said first andsecond layers each having a longitudinally disposed rib terminating inoutwardly disposed l flanges, the ribs and flanges of the respective f2. A stamped metal rocker arm comprising a' metal strip folded uponitself to provide superimposed first and second layers, said first andsecond layers each having a longitudinally disposed ri b terminating inoutwardly disposed anges, the ribs and flanges of the respective layersfacing, each other with portions of the facing flanges abutting eachlother and joined together toform a box section structure, and

'other portions of the vanges intermediate the flanges, the ribs andanges of the respective layers facing each other with portionsA of thefacing anges abutting each other and joined together to form a boxsection structure, other portions of the flanges intermediate the endsthereof being shaped to provide complementary portions forming a hub,the terminal end of one of said layers beingl provided with an opening,a contact member disposed`within said opening ,and projecting downwardlytherebelow, inwardly disposed circular flanges. formed on both of saidlayers adjacent the other terminal end thereof forming a cylindricalopening.

4. A stamped metal rockerarm comprising a metal strip folded upon itselfat substantially the midpoint between its terminal ends to providesuperimposed rst and second layers, said first and second layers eachhaving a. longitudinally disposed rib terminating in outwardly disposedanges, the ribs and lianges of the respective layers facing each otherwith portions of the facing flanges abutting each other and joinedtogether to form a box section construction, other portions of theflanges intermediate the ends thereof being shaped to providecomplementary portions forming a hub, one of said layers adjacent saidfold being provided with an opening, a contact'member disposed betweensaid first and second layers adjacent said fold having a portionprojecting through said opening, and means forming a threaded openingthrough said arm adjacent the terminal end opposite to that of saidfold.

5. A stamped metal rocker arm comprising a. metal strip folded uponitself to provide superimposed i'st and second layers, said rst andsecond layers each having a. longitudinally disposed rib terminating inoutwardly disposed flanges, the ribs and flanges of the respectivelayers facing each other, with -portlons of the facing flanges abuttingeach other and joined together to form a boxv section construction,other portions of .the flanges intermediate the ends thereof beingshaped to form complementary portions forming a transversely extendinghub, one of said layers adjacent said fold being provided with anopening, the axis of said opening being at substantially right angles tothe l axis of said hub, said first and second layers having inwardlydisposed flanges adjacent the'ter- 'minal end of said arm opposite tothat of said last named-opening forming another opening with its axissubstantially parallel tothe axis of said first named opening.

6. A stamped metal rocker arm comprising a.y metal strip folded uponitself substantially midway between its ends toprovide superimposedfirst and second layers, said rst and secondl layers each having alongitudinally disposed rib terriiating in outwardly disposed flanges,the

ribs and flanges of the respective layers facing u a box sectionconstruction, other portions of the flanges intermediate the endsthereof being shaped to provide complementary portions forming a/hub,one of said layers adjacent said fold being provided with an opening;other portions of the flanges of said rst and second layers ad jacentsaid fold being separated from each other,

f'a. contact member disposed between said first and second layersadjacent said fold with shoulder portions disposed between and engaged.by the separated' flange portions, said member having another portionprojecting through said openingfand means forming an opening throughsaid first and second layers adjacent the terminal end of said armopposite to that of said fold, said opening being threaded. i I

7. A stamped metal lrocker arm comprising a metal strip folded uponitself substantially midway between its ends to provide superimposedfirst Vand second 1ayers, said first and second layers each having alongitudinally disposed rib terminating invoutwardly disposed flanges,the ribs and anges of the respective layers facing each other withportions of the facing ilanges abuttingeach other and joined together toform a box section structure, other portions of the vflangesintermediate the ends thereof being shaped to provide complementaryportions forming atransversely extending hub, one of said layersadjacent said fold being provided with an opening, the axis of saidopening being at substantially a right angle to the axis of said hub, acontact member disposed between said first and second layers adjacentsaid fold having a portion projecting through said opening, said .rstandsecond layers having inwardly disposed parallel to the axis of saidfirst-named opening. 20

